1992 BMW 525I Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 101,000miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 BMW 525I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1992 BMW 525I. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 7 complaints (39% of the total), followed by air bags (5) and electrical system (4). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 101,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling7 39%
- Air bags5 28%
- Electrical system4 22%
- Fuel system2 11%
- Body and structure2 11%
- Brakes1 5.6%
- Tires1 5.6%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “The contact stated the engine overheated while driving various speeds. The vehicle was seen by a dealer. The radiator and water pump was replaced. Afterwards, the engine continued to overheat. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for inspection. The service department determined the engine's overall cooling system needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10153617, filed 2006-03, 142,000 milesAir bags: “The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly broke without warning. It was noticeable, a click or grab type feel, wherever the steering wheel was turned and I immediately took the car to my Bmw shop to correct. I am not sure what was accomplished but the click was removed. On recalls for bmws this fault was limited to the 3 series and not a 5 series which I own. I had reported this earlier but didn't receive any response from the ntsb so therefore I am resubmitting.”
NHTSA complaint #10150229, filed 2006-02, 90,000 milesFuel system: “Consumer was rearended while traveling abou 30-40mph. Upon impact, vehicle caught on fire, totaling the vehicle, fire departement unable to determine the cause of the fire, fire maybe linked to the gas filler and the tailights. Also, bumper only had a six inch dent. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #846502, filed 1999-09Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 96,000 and 142,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1992 BMW 525I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 525i RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
| 525i RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
| 525i Touring RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 98V178000Aug 4, 1998Engine and engine cooling › Cooling systemCovers: BMW 525I 1989–1995, 735I 1988–1995, 735ILA 1988–1995 +28 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical…
- 97V131000Aug 19, 1997Vehicle speed controlCovers: BMW 525I 1989–1995, 318I 1992–1997, 318IS 1992–1997 +12 more
The cruise control and throttle cables are attached to the same throttle valve actuating lever at the throttle housing. It is possible that the plastic bushing on either cable could break due to environmental influences coupled with vibration. If the bushing…
- 96V110000Jul 1, 1996Air bags › FrontalCovers: BMW 525I 1991–1992, 850I 1991–1992, 735I 1991–1992 +9 more
The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly can break without warning.
- 96V111000Jul 1, 1996Exterior lighting › Brake lights › SwitchCovers: BMW 525I 1990–1994, 325I 1992–1994, 735I 1990–1992 +11 more
The brake light switch can fail allowing the switch to remain in the "brake lights off" position or in the "brake lights on" position.
Recall details for the 1992 BMW 525I → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Electrical system, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Other model years of the BMW 525I
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 72 | 75,000 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 77 | 99,500 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 35 | 97,625 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 84 | 89,314 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 32 | 42,188 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 29 | 77,500 | 4 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 22 | 94,495 | 4 | — | 20 | — | Falling |
| 1995 | 24 | 112,000 | 3 | — | 19 | — | Falling |
| 1994 | 7 | — | 4 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 5 | 230,000 | 3 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 18 | 101,000 | 4 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 13 | 137,723 | 4 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 11 | 132,600 | 3 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
All BMW 525I model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1992 BMW 525I have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1992 BMW 525I as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 BMW 525I is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 7 complaints (39% of the total), followed by air bags with 5.
Has the 1992 BMW 525I been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1992 BMW 525I get?
The EPA rates the 1992 BMW 525I (525i, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1992 BMW 525I reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 101,000 miles and the middle half falls between 96,000 and 142,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.